Original subtitles

Previously on Fellow Travelers...

I'd like to offer you a temporary desk

here at The Post.

It might be best if you avoided

the newsroom's facilities for now.

You like working for your hero?

The Washington elite

look down their noses at McCarthy.

And I know his tactics are rough.

You're on McCarthy's Enemies List, sir.

I got nothing to hide.

We all have something to hide.

He's so unhappy, and no one knows why.

Hawk, I can't bear being this happy.

Army's bringing charges.

Me and Roy, using the power of our office.

You've got to get rid

of that little Jew and his pervert friend.

Give this to Schine. No one else.

What is it?

That stupid, alcoholic Mick

isn't gonna fire Roy Cohn.

- Where's Tim? - The hospital.

He had a seizure.

It's bad.

Tim Laughlin.

- Who? - Laughlin, Laughlin.

He, uh... He came by ambulance maybe half an hour ago.

Do you need to see a doctor?

Oh, for Chrissake!

Excuse me, sir.

♪ tense music ♪

You shouldn't be here.

It's all right. Come on.

Come on.

- Hey, Jimmy, how you doing? - Hey, Hawk.

Listen, Leonard Smith hasn't been home

the last two nights.

I'm guessing he's on a bender.

You seen him?

Threw him out of here last night.

Causing a ruckus.

All right, do me a favor.

Sit on him if he comes back. I'll check in later.

Sure.

Hey, neighborhood's crawling with cops.

Looks like a crackdown. Be careful.

I'm always careful.

♪ Speak low ♪

♪ When you speak love ♪

♪ Our summer's day withers away ♪

♪ Too soon, too soon ♪

♪ I feel wherever I go ♪

♪ That tomorrow is near ♪

♪ Tomorrow is here ♪

♪ And always too soon ♪

♪ Time is so old ♪

♪ And love so brief ♪

♪ Love is pure gold ♪

♪ And time, a thief ♪

♪ Where-- ♪

Police! Police! Nobody move!

This is a raid!

- Go! Now! - Let's get outta here!

Everyone, stay where you are!

- Come on! - Come with me!

Break it up! Everyone out!

- Let's go! - Let's go! Out!

Come on! Let's go!

Hey, wait.

Right! Stop where you are!

Halt!

Frankie! Frankie!

- Move it! - Come on!

Marcus! Marcus!

Searched three precinct houses before I found him.

Thanks, Frank.

Anybody tip off the papers?

Not that I know of.

We need to get our hands on the arrest record.

Between you and me.

- I'll see what I can do. - All right.

You know how much it's gonna cost

to get your record buried?

If I can manage to do it.

What do you care?

It's my father's money, not yours.

Your father will never hear about this, you understand?

Here, wipe your face.

- Hey. - Hey.

What time is it?

Almost 5:00.

You said you were gonna be an hour.

What happened?

Like I told you.

Lucy was at her friend's, and her car wouldn't start.

Sent her home in a taxi

and had to wait on the tow truck.

- I should go. - What?

Oh, I've got a big day tomorrow.

Jean wants me to sit with her in the hearings.

Mmm.

And watch her husband being grilled

rather than doing the grilling?

Hey.

We still have an hour before it starts to get light.

You know, you've been rather sweet lately.

Your Honor, I stand before you accused of being sweet.

♪ sentimental music ♪

I have been informed that these requests

made by Cohn, working for Senator McCarthy,

requests made on Schine's behalf

for special assignments,

have never been matched in the history of the Army.

Private Schine's work with us

fighting communists and subversives

required these requests.

He has proven tireless in his efforts

to protect American interests.

Counsel for the Army, Mr. Welch.

You may proceed if you wish.

We commend Mr. Schine for his tireless service, Senator.

However, a fur-lined coat, custom boots, steak dinners,

working from a penthouse in Manhattan,

all while being on active duty.

Was this all necessary

for Private Schine's important work?

Do you think Cohn will fall on his sword for his boyfriend?

I hear he does that every night.

Mr. Welch, do we want to argue for weeks

about whether or not David Schine

wore shoes that fit him,

or do we want to investigate

communist infiltration among military personnel

at Fort Monmouth?

Committee's special counsel, Mr. Jenkins.

Do you have any questions for Senator McCarthy or Mr. Cohn?

Indeed I do, sir.

Mr. Cohn, how long have you known Mr. Schine?

I would say about two years.

And in all fairness, Mr. Cohn, isn't it a fact

Mr. Schine is one of your best friends?

We all have our best friends, Mr. Cohn.

There's no criticism of you on that account.

Of course not, sir.

We all have friends whom we love.

I do.

And your relationship with David Schine has been

very, well, close for the past two years, hasn't it?

Yes, sir. He is one of many good friends

I am proud to have.

Have you known him socially?

I have.

- Have you visited in his home? - Yes, sir.

Has he visited in your home?

Yes, sir.

Well, perhaps you've double-dated together.

There's no reflection on anything about that, Mr. Cohn.

I'm just...

You're both single men, as we generally understand it.

We have been on double dates, sir.

Welch and Jenkins and that bastard Senator Smith,

all those things that they're insinuating about me,

it's bull, okay?

I don't need anyone's special favors.

I didn't need Mr. Roy Cohn to get into Harvard, did I?

Look at this.

Stevens asked me for this picture.

The Secretary of the Army

asked to take this photograph with me.

No, David,

I asked Secretary Stevens to take that photo with you.

When I heard he was visiting the base, I called him.

I thought it would make you happy.

Don't worry about Welch and Jenkins.

They're just...

They're just lawyers.

As for Smith, he's not gonna be a problem much longer.

How do you know?

I just do.

Trust me.

- I'll get us out of this. - You better.

♪ sinister music ♪

♪ suspenseful music ♪

Mr. Cohn.

Senator McCarthy is asking for you.

How long were you standing there?

Not long.

So I had a visit today

from Senators Bridges and Welker,

close allies of McCarthy's, as you know.

Go on.

They claim Leonard was arrested

for some sordid business,

and they'll expose it if I don't resign.

- And what did you say? - I showed them the door.

Why, it's clearly some malicious lie.

A rumor. I can't take it seriously.

Luce, would you give us a moment?

I'm not leaving.

It's not a lie.

About a week ago, Leonard was arrested

during a citywide crackdown.

Arrested for?

Commission of obscene and indecent acts.

He was caught in a public restroom

- servicing another man. - That's enough.

Christ.

Uh, did they show you anything?

An arrest record, a witness statement?

No, nothing like that.

Then they don't have any hard evidence yet.

For now, tell Welker and Bridges

that you'll back off McCarthy.

And if it comes to it,

you'll vote against expelling him from the Senate.

Impossible.

It's just to stall them.

Until we locate the record and have it destroyed.

Hey, Luce. Are you upstairs?

I can't find my keys.

For God's sake, just keep him outta here.

I can't look at him now.

Sir, I will do everything in my power to bury this,

but it will be expensive.

As much as it takes.

This comes out, I'm ruined.

What about Lenny?

Hmm?

They say it's...

It's a compulsion.

What's to stop him from doing it again?

And getting caught again?

There are places that help men like him.

I'll look into it.

Just thinking of him like that...

so thoroughly disgusts me.

Don't blame yourself, sir.

Poor Leonard.

He's just one of nature's mistakes.

I didn't know you smoked.

We all have our secrets.

When I was in Madrid,

I met two gentlemen at the Prado.

They called themselves traveling companions.

We struck up a conversation about Tiepolo.

They invited me to dinner.

They were well traveled and so charming.

At some point, one of them allowed his hand

to rest on the hand of his friend.

I must have been staring

because he quickly pulled his hand away.

Our eyes met.

And I'll never forget the look on his face.

And I remembered that I'd seen that look before.

On Leonard's face.

He can't help what he is.

No one would choose to live with all that...

shame.

Hey.

Here.

- I'm a mess. - No.

No, you are not a mess.

You're not a mess.

Here's the photograph.

Now, how soon can you get this back to me?

Hey, shut that door.

♪ suspenseful music ♪

As I recall, you were recommended

to Senator McCarthy

by one of Senator Smith's donors.

Is that correct?

Yes, sir.

What do you think of Whining Wesley?

Or do you prefer Sanctimonious Smith?

I respect Senator Smith.

Oh, you've switched sides.

No, sir.

I still believe in the anti-communist cause.

You know, we've heard his, uh, son is a faggot.

That true?

That he was arrested for it.

Sucking cock in a public toilet.

That's the rumor that's going around Washington.

Is it true?

I wouldn't know.

I think you would.

Know, I mean. I think it's very possible you know.

Wha...

Thank you for the package, by the way.

The one you gave to Mr. Schine around Christmas time.

The one with the interesting materials.

Just curious.

Where'd you get it?

Uh, somebody left it on my desk.

Oh. Kid.

You're a terrible liar.

You should work on that.

Any word on the arrest record?

Frank, is there any chance they beat us to it?

Mr. Fuller, someone to see you.

I'll call you back.

That Tim Laughlin from Senator McCarthy's office?

I can handle him, hon. Thanks.

Today is not a great day to break the rules.

Roy Cohn followed me into the bathroom last night.

Cohn asked about Smith.

And did I know that his son was a faggot.

- Listen, I have a meeting-- - What was in that envelope?

The one you gave me at Christmas?

Roy thanked me for it.

You have some chocolates, okay?

My secretary brought them in.

She's trying to fatten me up.

Hawk, I'm not leaving until you tell me.

That envelope contained a letter

from Corporal Daniel Cherney stating that McCarthy

got him drunk and sodomized him.

And giving it to Schine...

Stuck McCarthy, Cohn and Schine together like glue.

Putting Senator McCarthy in the situation he's in now.

Very good, Skippy. You're learning.

Did Cohn ask about the envelope?

I said someone left it on my desk.

What? That's not plausible, is it?

Why would he put it on your desk

when Schine's office is ten steps away?

I guess I don't lie as easily as you do.

Then you won't survive.

It's funny.

Cohn said more or less the same thing.

Well...

Thanks for coming.

I was glad you called.

I thought maybe you forgot about me.

This is a lot less intimate than the Cozy.

Frankie, I can't go back there.

Oh.

The owners have upped their bribes.

You can come back. It's safe.

It's not.

Not for me.

My father's a brilliant pianist,

classically trained.

He wanted to play in an orchestra.

Now he's stuck behind a counter selling shoes.

Ever since I started writing and making a living at it,

he reads every word.

When he sees something of mine in the paper,

I know I'm going to get a call from him

telling me how proud he is.

Do you know what it means for him

to see my byline in The Post?

So you're not gonna go out?

Not gonna fall in love?

I just want to be honest with you.

Do you like my nails, Marcus?

Allen, that busboy from the bar,

he painted them for me.

He even did my toes.

Just a gloss, though,

since I was coming to see you in the park.

I should have let him paint them red.

That's what I really wanted.

♪ pensive music ♪

Look, Luce, they have tennis.

Maybe I'll finally nail my backhand, huh?

Huh.

What did you tell Mother?

That your drinking's gotten out of hand,

and you're going to a nice place to dry out.

Hmm.

That's only half a lie, I guess.

I try not to lie, Leonard.

Oh, but you do, sister dear.

You just don't know it.

I told Welker and Bridges I'd take it easy on Joe.

For now, at least.

And they didn't press you on resigning?

No.

Then they haven't found Leonard's arrest record.

So it's over?

No, sir, it's not over.

Trust me, there's a desk sergeant out there

willing to sell the record.

DC cops have a thriving business in that market.

We just have to get to it first.

Well, look at us.

Down on our bellies, crawling through the mud,

just like the men we think we're better than.

You are better, sir.

This will be good for you, son.

Son?

I stopped being your son the day he showed up.

The sad orphan, the tennis star.

A goddamn war hero for Christ's sake.

The son you thought you deserved.

Your son.

I never had a chance.

We should get going.

And Father, whatever disgusting thing I am,

you made me this way.

He's right, Hawk.

You took his place.

And I let you do it.

♪ somber music ♪

Mr. Cohn, did you or did you not tell me

you had documentary evidence

in the form of a photo

to substantiate your defense against the Army?

Yes, sir.

Has this photo been submitted to evidence?

Yes, sir.

As to the particular charges about threats

that I had supposedly made...

How'd you get in?

A Washington Post press pass carries a lot of weight.

...persuasions that had been attempted

by myself on Schine's behalf for special privileges.

I told you, sir,

that I have very substantial proof

that such threats were never made nor necessary.

Proof, which I hold up now.

This photo shows Private G. David Schine

with Secretary Stevens at Fort Dix.

Secretary Stevens was not only most solicitous of Schine,

but was in his company twice.

And it was he, Army Secretary Stevens,

who asked to be photographed with Private Schine.

That is what I told you, and that is a fact.

So I ask, why would I need to use my influence

to gain special privileges for Private Schine

when he does so well on his own?

That photo, it's not right.

How so?

I was in their office. I saw it. It's different.

They doctored it?

Are you gonna tell someone?

Senator McCarthy should know.

What makes you think he doesn't?

Ladies and gentlemen, please.

Please let the hearing proceed.

The successful treatment of homosexuals

depends on their willingness to face what they really are.

Many of them become so skilled

at camouflaging their true natures,

they begin to think they're normal.

Oh.

So they believe they're normal men, like us?

They really do.

And they live even more lonely and isolated lives.

- Hmm. - Hopping from one

sexual partner to the next,

like frogs on lily pads.

But you can change them?

With a combination of aversion therapy

and intermittent electroconvulsive treatments,

we see progress in some cases.

Shock therapy?

But it's a small price to pay to be sane and happy.

Don't you agree?

Shall we get your friend settled?

One more thing.

Leonard's family believes

that he'll have a better chance of being cured

if he's placed in a secure environment.

I can assure you our facility is quite secure.

Yes, but we believe he will benefit

from limited contact with the outside world.

He runs with a very disreputable crowd.

No calls in or out, no visitors.

Our policy exactly.

They're ready for you.

You know what I've been thinking about?

I can't imagine.

That first summer

when you started spending time at our house,

we went camping by that river.

One at the end of the Billy Goat Trail.

Yeah.

It got dark.

We drank some of my mother's mint schnapps.

Oh, God.

- That stuff was awful. - Yeah.

Then we jacked off together by the fire.

All boys do that.

Normal men grow out of it.

I thought about telling my father about you.

Tell him what?

Some sad, twisted fantasy you created

in your perverted brain?

Why don't you tell him?

No, I'll tell you why.

Because you know he'd never believe you.

You're right.

He wouldn't.

He'd always take your word over mine.

You're gonna be okay.

Won't be so bad in there.

I don't care.

I need to be free of this thing.

Mr. Smith.

I want to be cured.

Yes, just this way.

We'll get you settled.

You can't see what's happening, can you?

Welch, Jenkins, the Red-loving press,

they are painting you with the same brush

they use on Roy and David.

Smearing Roy and David's filth all over you and your cause.

- Why can't you see it? - See what?

All this hullaballoo because Roy likes the kid?

They're pals. What's the harm?

Men need the companionship of other men.

Women can't understand.

Oh, I think I do understand.

Why didn't you fire Roy when you had the chance, Joe?

Why have you stuck with him?

Let him drag you down?

What does he have on you?

Men from Wisconsin don't turn on their friends.

You would think a man from Wisconsin

would know how to get his wife pregnant.

You learn to knock on the doors of your superiors.

What is it, Tim?

Senator, the photograph

of Mr. Schine with Secretary Stevens.

What about it?

Roy did something to it. He changed it.

What are you trying to do?

I thought you'd want to know.

Do you know that I was once voted

the worst senator in Washington?

It's true.

Another man might have heard that and crumbled.

But not me.

I went to Wheeling, West Virginia.

I remember the day, February 9th, 1950.

Colder than a witch's left tit.

Gave a speech to a bunch of ladies

who could barely recite their A, B, Cs.

Do you know what I told them?

I told them 205 employees of the State Department

were known to be members

of the American Communist Party.

Known not suspected. 205.

Where'd I come up with that number?

Who knows? Divine intervention, I reckon.

Do you know what those broads did when I finished?

Got on their damn feet and applauded.

And now I'm one of the most powerful senators

in the history of our nation,

one of the most powerful men in America.

So, Tim, what exactly did you want to tell me

about some fucking photograph?

♪ unsettling music ♪

Operator, get me Senator Bridges' office.

Where do we stand with our friend from Pennsylvania?

I'm going to need that vote.

Roy knocked the stuffing...

At least they know we're not going to lie down and take it.

Welch has a Red on his staff.

We've known about it for weeks.

We made a deal to keep him off the table

as long as Welch doesn't get into Roy's service record.

Can I help you?

I'd like to see Mr. Welch, the Army's lawyer.

He's not here at the moment.

Can you give him this?

It's important.

Looks like Cohn's pulled

a rabbit out of his hat.

Marcus, what can I do for you?

I wanna cover the Senate beat.

Well, we've already got reporters covering Congress.

But none of them have the access I do.

I spent a couple of years developing sources.

What, with janitors and security guards?

I did an excellent job

covering the Senate for the Courier.

Yeah, but that's a, uh...

Uh...

A what?

A Negro paper.

Or do you prefer Black now?

Honestly, I can never keep up with what you people want.

Stan, get back to work.

I only quit the Senate beat

because of a dust-up with Cohn.

But he can't lock out a reporter from The Post.

I wanna keep you on the city desk for now.

Well, you know what they say.

Real change comes slowly.

Real change is what white people talk about

when they don't want anything to actually change.

Mr. Welch, do you have a point of order?

Yes, sir, I do.

Earlier this week, a photograph was produced

by Senator McCarthy and Mr. Cohn as evidence

of Private Schine's close relationship

to Secretary of the Army Stevens.

Before we question Private Schine,

I would like to offer this picture

as the original, unaltered piece of evidence

that we received from Secretary Stevens' office.

Private Schine, do you recognize this photograph?

Uh, yes, sir.

It was hanging in my office.

And can you tell me the circumstances behind it?

Uh, Mr. Stevens, the Secretary of the Army,

asked me to stand next to him for the picture.

And as a result of that request, what did you do?

I obeyed, sir.

In this original photograph,

who is the man on your immediate right?

That is Colonel Bradley, sir.

I should be there.

You're right where you should be, sir.

Out of the line of fire.

Well, Mr. Schine,

do you have any knowledge of the circumstances

under which the picture of Colonel Bradley was omitted?

No, sir.

So, in this altered photograph,

you alone with the Secretary of the Army,

I would ask whether you'd ever seen this

particular photograph until now.

I never saw this print

before these hearings, sir.

You had nothing to do with its being altered?

No, sir.

Are you insinuating

that evidence was tampered with?

We merely show two pictures

with obvious man-made differences, Senator.

That is a hefty accusation.

It is, indeed.

So if this photograph wasn't altered,

where'd it come from, a pixie?

If counsel could, for my benefit,

define what a pixie is.

You might be more of an expert on that.

I should say, Mr. Senator,

that a pixie is a close relative of a fairy.

Shall I proceed, sir?

Have I enlightened you?

Let's let the hearing proceed.

Shouldn't you be at the Senate?

Mr. Welch, you have no proof

that this photograph was altered

by anyone on this committee.

This all sounds like pure conjecture on your part.

The fact remains that Secretary Stevens

asked to meet with Private Schine and express--

Hey.

You're not supposed to be in here.

What the fuck?

Goddamn it!

I'm scheduled for questioning tomorrow.

I'm going to deny everything.

After, you and I should confront

the lying press together.

Dave.

I'm not coming in tomorrow.

I got you a three-day pass.

I am going to New York to spend time with my family.

David, we're going to get through this.

We are not going to get through anything.

You and McCarthy are facing charges.

Not me.

I am not like you, Roy.

I'm normal.

♪ melancholy music ♪

Hawk.

Quit... Quit my job.

I had to.

Can we go upstairs?

- I'm going out. - Out hunting?

Take me with you.

- You wouldn't enjoy it. - No, I'd be with you.

Everything's gone, Hawk.

I don't know what to believe.

I just... I knew I needed to see you.

I should have left you alone.

And I am so glad you didn't.

Please, just take me upstairs.

- Skippy. - Take me upstairs.

Skippy, listen to me!

I don't want you to read about it in the papers.

I'm going to ask Lucy Smith to marry me.

♪ melancholy music ♪

Dad.

It's after 2:00.

Look at this.

Where was this?

Paisley, Pennsylvania.

My first campaign.

Talking to striking coal miners.

Trying to give them some hope

that people in Washington care about them.

Look at Lenny, how innocent he was.

I got a call this evening from Senator Welker.

They found Lenny's arrest record.

There's no compromising now, they've made their ultimatum.

If I resign,

they'll keep Lenny's arrest record under wraps.

Governor Fine will replace me

with a Republican and McCarthy ally,

and that might be the vote McCarthy needs

to hold on to power.

And if I don't resign,

they'll release Lenny's arrest record

to the press tomorrow afternoon,

in time for the evening editions.

I doubt your mother

will show her face in public again.

And Lenny...

when he comes out of that hospital,

even if he's cured,

what chance will he have to live a normal life?

This will hound him for the rest of his days.

And it will be my fault.

I will have destroyed him.

Twice.

What are we going to do?

Well, you are not to worry.

You and Hawk have each other.

You'll be fine.

We'll all be fine.

♪ suspenseful music ♪

The United States

has long been a symbol of freedom

and enjoyed well-earned respect

as the greatest democracy in the world.

But our democracy is under attack

by those who at times preach loudest,

hoping to sow fear within our imperfect

but always striving union.

A union defined by ideals

which we hold to be true and self-evident,

that all men are created equal.

But truth is now in question.

The truth has been replaced with fear.

It is fear which rots the bones

of our American body.

If we do not have good men and women seeking truth...

Present arms! Order, arms!

...then we do not have America.

Stand by.

Ready.

So strive for truth.

Ready. Aim.

Reach out to your fellow man.

Fight for the promise of America.

Fire!

Ready.

Aim. Fire.

Ready.

Aim.

Fire.

♪ melancholy music ♪

You're here.

Surprised.

I wasn't going to come,

but curiosity got the better of me.

Glad it did.

Thanks.

Aren't you nervous

someone from The Post might see you with me?

I don't think I have much of a future at The Post.

I wasn't happy doing the work they wanted me to do.

And I've received a few calls from a new publication.

Jet magazine.

Not a huge readership, but...

I look out at that damn city

and can't help but think about what it denies us.

I'm gonna write about that.

The things that matter.

So what are we going to do?

I'm gonna drink this damn coffee.

I'm going on the road with Storme.

The Jewel Box Revue.

Up and down the East Coast.

But when I come back, I'd like a place of my own.

Not a room over a bar,

but an apartment with a bathtub and a kitchen,

and someone waiting in it for me.

Striking.

Your nails.

Do you like them?

They're growing on me.

In the aftermath of the hearings,

Chief Counsel Roy Cohn has resigned

from the committee.

And Senator McCarthy,

his approval ratings plummeting,

faces censure or even expulsion from the Senate.

May I come in?

Got your letter of condolence.

It meant a lot. Thank you.

I'm due at Fort Dix in two days.

I'm not gonna wait for you.

- I want to take you somewhere. - Hawk.

Come on.

The Army owns your body now. I can't steal you from them.

- Or can I? - No.

- You can't. - Then give me an hour.

One hour.

Where are we going?

You trust me?

Don't answer that.

Come on.

♪ pensive music ♪

Hawk, I'm sorry about Senator Smith.

I know you loved him.

There isn't much good and decent in this world.

He was good.

And decent.

Skippy.

I didn't raise my boy to be a soldier.

I have to go.

I have to get over you.

Yeah.

You do.

Hawk.

Promise you won't write.

I won't.

- Okay. - Yeah.

There you go.

There you go. You can lean on me if you need to.

Thank you.

Skippy.

♪ pensive music ♪

♪ Mama, I have something important to say ♪

♪ Yes, I know you didn't plan for me ♪

♪ Turning out this way ♪

♪ Well, you didn't fail me, Mom ♪

♪ And I don't love you any less ♪

♪ Because for me it's just a matter ♪

♪ Of what suits me best ♪

♪ Well, I know it's hard for you to take ♪

♪ And it's nothing you would brag ♪

♪ When your first-born ♪

♪ Turns out to be gay ♪